COSTARD. Well, sir, I hope when I do it I shall do it on a fullstomach.

ARMADO. Thou shalt be heavily punished.

COSTARD. I am more bound to you than your fellows, for they are butlightly rewarded.

ARMADO. Take away this villain: shut him up.

MOTH. Come, you transgressing slave: away!

COSTARD. Let me not be pent up, sir: I will fast, being loose.

MOTH. No, sir; that were fast and loose: thou shalt to prison.

COSTARD. Well, if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that Ihave seen, some shall see —

MOTH. What shall some see?

COSTARD. Nay, nothing, Master Moth, but what they look upon. It isnot for prisoners to be too silent in their words, and thereforeI will say nothing. I thank God I have as little patience asanother man, and therefore I can be quiet.

[Exeunt MOTH and COSTARD.]

ARMADO. I do affect the very ground, which is base, where her shoe,which is baser, guided by her foot, which is basest, doth tread.I shall be forsworn, — which is a great argument of falsehood, — ifI love. And how can that be true love which is falsely attempted?Love is a familiar; Love is a devil; there is no evil angel butLove. Yet was Samson so tempted, and he had an excellentstrength; yet was Solomon so seduced, and he had a very good wit.Cupid's butt-shaft is too hard for Hercules' club, and thereforetoo much odds for a Spaniard's rapier. The first and second causewill not serve my turn; the passado he respects not, the duellohe regards not; his disgrace is to be called boy, but his gloryis to subdue men. Adieu, valour! rust, rapier! be still, drum!for your manager is in love; yea, he loveth. Assist me, someextemporal god of rime, for I am sure I shall turn sonneter.Devise, wit; write, pen; for I am for whole volumes in folio.